Brian Eno

April 20, 1986|By Bill Henderson of the Sentinel staff

(Excellent) Brian Eno, More Blank Than Frank (Songs from the Period 1973-1977) (E'G/Jem EGLP 65): Despite his being the founding member of Roxy Music, despite his skills as the producer who almost singlehandedly reshaped the careers of such diverse musicians as David Bowie, Talking Heads and U2, Brian Eno is still virtually unknown. Perhaps More Blank Than Frank, a compilation of tunes from his four rock albums, will change that.

In 1973, Eno split from Roxy Music and until 1977 proceeded to make some of the most outrageous original music I've ever heard. This compilation underscores the fact that he was well ahead of his time.

The record is divided so that Side 1's music has a lighter, more introspective sound, while Side 2's tracks get a little crazy. ''Here He Comes,'' with its monotonous rhythms and vocals, is a prelude to Eno's ambient work later on. ''Everything Merges with the Night'' offers a perception of life as indistinguishable tones of gray rather than black or white. A hypnotic guitar drone played by Robert Fripp blends the elements and creates an unworldly atmosphere.

''On Some Faraway Beach,'' a beautiful repose on Eno's life and future death, is resigned and comforting at the same time. It begins with a single piano, slowly building to a chorus of instruments and Eno's overdubbed vocals before winding down to the single piano again. ''Taking Tiger Mountain'' features sing-song chanting set to strange lyrics about pining for Tiger Mountain and the secrets it holds.

Side 2 begins with ''Backwater,'' wherein a thumping piano riff sets the rhythm for Eno's unique synthesizer work and complicated lyrics. ''St. Elmo's Fire'' crackles with repetitive piano notes that are occasionally broken by another note which never quite seems to fit. The electronics and the moody lyrics in ''The Great Pretender'' help create a mood of night-time, cloak-and- dagger fun. ''King's Lead Hat,'' with its wild Hare Krishna-like percussion, is an insane trip around the world -- dealing with everything from using laundry to measure time to drawing bananas on bathroom walls.

The cassette includes two bonus songs not on the album: ''Julie With . . . '' and ''Back in Judy's Jungle,'' a song that features background whistling to the tune of The Bridge on the River Kwai theme -- slowed down to the point of making it unrecognizable.

More Blank Than Frank is an album for those who are not familiar with Eno's musical adventures. The songs, taken out of context from their original albums, seem jumbled and unfocused. But I can heartily recommend this LP as an important document on a thoroughly original musician.